The Fortuna City Council has adopted a water contingency plan in response to the historic statewide drought, but postponed a decision to declare a Stage 2 shortage based on the proposal.

Last month, the council passed a resolution recommending residents water outside no more than two days a week in order to remain in compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board's rules — which allow the city to levy fines up to $500 per day against violators.

"We don't typically have that issue up here in Humboldt County, but as you know, there is a statewide drought. So this is something that will again further the efforts of local control and make sure that we, as a city, are responsible for our actions and not necessarily allowing the state or other organizations to tell us how to handle our businesses," City Manager Regan Candelario said.

City Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator Doug Culbert said the plan passed at the meeting is compliant with the state water board.

"One of the main issues we had with the state's resolution was the ambiguity and the fact that it left a lot for us to interpret," Culbert said. "Hopefully this plan has defined things a little better and will make it easier to understand. One thing I'll mention is that the prohibitions for each stage are listed in the plan, not in the ordinance itself. That way it's easier to change the plan without having to go through the ordinance process every time we want to change it."

Councilwoman Sue Long questioned the prohibition on unattended automatic watering except between midnight and 3 a.m.

"I thought we were going to extend the unattended watering from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.?" Long asked.

Culbert said he had notes about that from the last meeting, but wasn't given clear direction to make a change in the plan. He added it would be a simple change to make.

"The only reason I would say to change it is because no one is running around town generally at 3 a.m., but if you're out and about at 6 a.m. going to the gym or taking the dog for a walk, I think we're more apt to have someone see that and call the business or City Hall with a polite inquiry," Long said.

Councilman Dean Glaser agreed with Long.

"The object is to apply the water before the sun has a chance to evaporate it, so anything that's in the dark would be appropriate," Glaser said. "Even with the fall back or spring forward, 6 a.m. would be fine."

The city could potentially see a loss in revenue if water consumption is significantly reduced through conservation efforts, but the plan would include options for dealing with it. Glaser said there is a concern when it comes to the amount of potential loss.

"We're talking about $26,000, and then the highest amount during the worst stage is going to be $100,000," Glaser said. "There should be some discretion on the part of us, as an enterprise, when we have the water cops running around to use some common sense rather than just cut and dry."

The council voted 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Losey absent, to adopt the water shortage contingency plan.

The council was going to consider declaring a Stage 2 water emergency Tuesday with the passage of the plan, but postponed the decision to the Sept. 15 meeting.

"We're going to hold off on that tonight and complete some posting time for the community to understand what we're doing and come into comment, then we'll bring it back at our next meeting," Candelario said.